Technology's Impact on Mental Well-Being: The Emerging Insights in the Digital Age

Dear Colleagues,

The advancement of technology has brought with it changes that have impacted society at all levels.  The way we interact with others, learn, and play has been transformed by the ubiquitous presence of smartphones, personal computers, and the Internet.

Despite this, there is often the impression in society that technology has failed to deliver its expected utopia. Myriad problems are mentioned that are concurrent with technological advancement. Despite our always-on interconnectivity, reported loneliness is at an all-time high.  There are concerns with technology addictions and problematic Internet use. Social media can lead users to unfavourably compare themselves to the people they see and “follow”. Issues with cyberbullying have caused tragedy to play out amongst school-aged children, with victims unable to escape their tormenters.

These are all salient issues. However, modern technology has also improved our lives beyond measure. We can now speak to friends on the other side of the world in an instant, and book tickets to visit them on our phone whilst we wait in the doctor’s office. The recent surge in interest for Virtual Reality and AR mean that people who struggle to walk down the street can “visit” new countries, and have experiences that would not have been possible 10 years ago. 

Psychological research has shown the benefits of technology. My own work has shown that playing video games with others via the Internet can reduce prejudice between two groups of people.  Others have shown that technology can help people relax, exercise, and meet new people. 

This Special Issue will explore the positive aspects of technology and its impact on mental health. Researchers are encouraged to submit papers that focus on the benefits of technology, and how it can improve our physical and mental well-being. We welcome original articles (quantitative analysis, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies) and systematic review works. It is hoped that, with this approach, we can present a more optimistic view of modern society, and the promises that technology presents us with. 

Dr. Chris Stiff
Dr. Liam Cross
Guest Editors

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